Celio aims to expand franchise-run store network

French menswear brand Celio International is expanding its franchise-run store network besides increasing local sourcing in the country. Having a presence through 41 stores and 130 shop-in-shops, Celio entered India six years ago through a joint venture with Future Lifestyle Fashion. The company has now increased its stake in the JV to 97 percent from 50 percent earlier.

It has a strong reach in cities like Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jaipur, Dehradun, Mangalore, Mysore, Kanpur and Nagpur, among others. The company is rapidly spreading its presence through franchise-owned franchise-operated (FOFO) model in the country and aims to open around ten franchise stores this year.

Having increased its India sourcing by 55 per cent, the company is also witnessing over 7 per cent of its business being driven by ecommerce portals like Myntra, Jabong, Flipkart, Amazon and through Shoppers Stop. Future Group recently divested a minority 31.5 per cent stake in Celio Future Fashion for an undisclosed amount. Future Lifestyle now holds a 3.5 percent stake in the company.